Enteropathy-Associated Intestinal T-Cell Lymphoma in Cavitating Mesenteric Lymph Node Syndrome: Fine-Needle Aspiration Contributes to the Diagnosis

摘要

Cavitating mesenteric lymph node syndrome (CMLNS) is an infrequently reported manifestation of unrecognized/longstanding celiac disease and may be associated with enteropathy-associated intestinal T-cell lymphoma and hyposplenism. Unrecognized malignancy and life-threatening infections can pose a significant risk to patients in cases of delayed diagnosis. Fine-needle aspiration of the mesenteric lesions may contribute significantly to the correct diagnosis and can expedite patient management. We report on the cytologic characteristics of enteropathy-associated intestinal T-cell lymphoma first detected in a cyst fluid specimen obtained from a patient with cavitating mesenteric lesions. Image-guided fine-needle aspiration resulted in chylous fluid that contained a lymphoid cell population with neoplastic morphology and abnormal immunophenotype. Further work-up led to the diagnosis of enteropathy-associated intestinal T-cell lymphoma with bone marrow involvement. Cytologic assessment of the cyst fluid is an important part of the diagnostic cascade in patients with CMLNS to exclude clinically occult lymphoma. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:125-130. (c) 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.